I was astonished to see that 19 per cent of voters turned out for the water treatment plant/intake referendum in Parksville. With water being the most important issue today affecting all who require potable water to survive on Earth, that turnout was impressive.

I see we are lucky to maintain the intake within the river stream downstream from spawning and dying salmon. Had it been moved further upstream to take advantage of greater storage and gravity for delivery, we would have lost that amazing water aroma in the fall and early winter.

Another accomplishment: our storage will remain the same, at no cost. To all those that thought this long-term water management plan through and decided to give assent to a loan application, I give thanks.

Here was a simple example of a local issue that could have been done right. At least one thing is very clear and confirms my suspicion that the world is truly dysfunctional.